Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, with the Office of the Attorney General responsible for enforcement. First-time offenders face civil penalties of up to $10,000, with subsequent violations carrying fines of up to $25,000. According to Newser, retailers will be given 45 days to correct violations before penalties apply.
Loyalty program discounts remain allowed under the legislation, though critics have raised concerns that this exception could effectively penalize shoppers who decline to participate in such programs.
Moore cited a Consumer Reports investigation when speaking to WDCW, pointing to its finding that shoppers paid prices differing by up to 23% for the same items bought at the same moment. According to Yahoo Finance, the new measure builds on a foundation laid by Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act of 2024, extending that framework to address how consumer data intersects with the pricing of everyday necessities.
The legislation has caught the eye of lawmakers elsewhere in the country, with Newser reporting that California, Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey are among the states exploring comparable restrictions.
